Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, no problem. Ya and I will be back early tonight."
Xu Liming said, "Okay, and also bring Luo Wei along."
Zhao Qiang was puzzled. Xu Liming used to be the most hostile to Luo Wei, always saying that she had taken away his daughter's position. However, since Zhao Qiang openly stayed overnight in Xu Xiaoya's bedroom, Xu Liming stopped mentioning it.
Xu Liming naturally noticed Zhao Qiang's doubts and said, "Haifeng Group is currently the most profitable company in Donghai City and is developing into a multinational corporation. It is a key unit supported by Donghai City, and the Municipal Party Committee wants to improve its relationship with the Luo family."
"It's necessary for work," Zhao Qiang nodded.
After breakfast, Xu Xiaoya drove Zhao Qiang and his mother to work. The office building of Jiayuan Investment was not yet completed, so Xu Xiaoya was temporarily staying in Haifeng Building. When they passed the repair shop, she dropped Zhao Qiang off. Zhao Qiang didn't want to go to crowded places; his research required quiet.
Upon entering the office, I saw Luo Wei. She now practically considers this place her home, which allows her to see Zhao Qiang frequently. In any case, her father is taking care of things at Haifeng Group.
"No classes today?" Zhao Qiang asked. Luo Wei is still in university and won't graduate until next summer.
Luo Wei said, "Let's go, we'll leave in a bit. We had breakfast at Sister Xiaoya's house."
Zhao Qiang nodded: "Do you have time tonight?"
Luo Wei said happily, "Yes, do you have time?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's like this, Xiaoya's father invited you to his home for dinner. Several leaders from the municipal party committee will be there to discuss the future development of Donghai City."
Luo Wei was a little reluctant, but she still agreed, "Okay, I'll come back this afternoon and pick you up."
Zhao Qiang said, "Okay."
Luo Wei tidied up the documents on her desk and left. Zhao Qiang went into his room, plugged in the power for Wei, and turned on the standby screen. Wei was resting her head on her hand, deep in thought.
"What are you doing?" Zhao Qiang asked.
Wei straightened up and said, "Brother, Sister Wei is so pitiful. After all, my name comes from her. You mustn't let her down."
Zhao Qiang shrugged and said, "You heard it too, Ya is keeping a close eye on me now."
Wei said, "You can't give up a whole forest for one tree."
Zhao Qiang said, "The key is that I don't want to give up even a single tree, let alone the forest. But it's too difficult to get them to live in peace. I'm not very clear about the relationship between us yet. If it's exposed one day, it will definitely lead to a world war."
Wei said in a condescending tone, "I'm really worried for you. Forget about that, let's not talk about it. Let's look at our work today."
Zhao Qiang said, "Let's get the mother tea for next month ready first. I want to go back to my hometown again during the New Year's holiday, so as not to delay sales." Zhao Qiang is currently full of energy, so he is modifying the mother tea on a monthly basis, which saves him the trouble of doing it every day.
Wei reviewed the work records and said, "Okay, the 'g' material reserves are sufficient. We have made corresponding modifications to the firearms, tanks, and helicopters. Sister Shiqi has also taken the specific plans. We've been busy for a year, so let's focus on resting for the rest of the time."
"How's the upgraded version of the China Red operating system coming along?"
Wei said, "I've already given it to Sister Qian. Don't worry, you know how efficient I am."
Zhao Qiang then asked, "What about the new voice library?"
"It's finished too. I've also made the framework for a few other professional software programs, and then Qianjie's engineers will refine them. Otherwise, their brains will get rusty."
Zhao Qiang chuckled: "Let's go, let's go modify the tea leaves." The tea leaves were piled up in a special warehouse, and there was too much of it to move to Zhao Qiang's place.
When Luo Wei returned to the repair shop in the afternoon, she was shocked: "Senior brother, you... how come you've lost weight again?"
Zhao Qiang scratched his head: "I worked a lot today, so I'll eat more tonight to make up for it."
Luo Wei asked, "Shall we leave now?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Let's go, let's go help out as soon as possible, we can't keep the municipal leaders waiting for us."
Luo Wei chuckled: "It's only right that we wait for you. It's already a great honor that you agreed to have dinner with them."
Luo Wei's car was impounded in Dongyang City. After the virus outbreak, Shan Hongfei personally went to retrieve it. What happened to the traffic police was no longer important, because the virus incident had caused Dongyang City to lose a lot of police resources. Zhao Qiang didn't want to cause any more trouble for Shan Hongfei. He just wanted the car back intact. However, in a fit of anger, Zhao Qiang forged a bunch of fake documents. He would put one in everyone's car from now on, so they wouldn't have to worry about being checked.
Luo Wei brought Xu Liming several bottles of expensive Moutai as a gift. There were no guests at home yet. Sun Junmei was off work in the afternoon and had bought various groceries early in the morning. She was busy in the kitchen at the moment. Luo Wei naturally wanted to go in and help, but Xu Liming stopped her, saying, "Chairwoman Luo, how can this be? You are an important guest of mine today."
Luo Wei smiled and said, "Uncle, I'm Xiaoya's classmate. Please don't be so formal."
Zhao Qiang also said, "Uncle, let Wei go in and help. Her cooking is absolutely superb."
Xu Liming knew this, and besides, Luo Wei's casual manner showed that his relationship with Haifeng Group was unusual, so he didn't say anything more, and the two men waited in the living room for the other guests to arrive.
Actually, the guests all lived in the municipal government compound. They greeted each other and arrived together. Zhao Qiang cheered up and greeted them together with Xu Liming, after all, he was practically a son-in-law.
Mayor Lei Tianming is an old acquaintance of everyone, while Party Secretary Sun Changqing and Zhao Qiang have little contact. There are also two deputy secretaries, Ge Zhongyi and Zhang Yunjiang, and one deputy mayor, Wu Hongxiang, making a total of five people.
Sun Changqing is close to early retirement, so he is at his most peaceful right now. He has no thoughts of scheming or intrigue and just wants to smoothly transition to retirement. He is also very grateful to Xu Liming for the last outbreak in Donghai City. If it weren't for Xu Liming's strong support in the situation, he would probably have been dismissed early.
The two deputy secretaries were rather nervous, because they were the two most likely to be promoted after Sun Changqing stepped down. However, the province had been subtly grooming Xu Liming after the H-virus incident, so how could the two not have objections? But politicians don't show their likes and dislikes, and they were still incredibly enthusiastic about Xu Liming, even more so than towards Sun Changqing and Lei Tianming.
Lei Tianming's mentality is similar to Sun Changqing's. Last time he drank with Zhao Qiang, he almost drank Zhao Qiang to death, so he was unwilling to go against Zhao Qiang no matter what. Lei Tianming's position as mayor should not be unstable, because Lei Tianming has also heard rumors that Xu Liming may take over as the municipal party secretary, which will not affect his position.
As for Vice Mayor Wu Hongxiang, he is self-aware enough to know that he cannot compete with Xu Liming, so he is willing to play a supporting role. Now, by currying favor with Xu Liming, it will be easier for them to get along in the future.
Volume 2 [412] Drinking
【412】Drinking
"Come, come, everyone, please sit down." Xu Liming directly invited the guests to the dining table, where four cold dishes were already waiting. Once everyone was seated, the kitchen would start preparing the hot dishes.
Ge Zhongyi said enthusiastically, "Why isn't Xiaoya home? Jiayuan Investment is doing very well lately, she can't be too busy to have time to drink with these uncles and elders."
Xu Liming said, "I'll be home soon. We just talked on the phone."
Zhang Yunjiang asked, "Didn't you say that Chairman Luo of Haifeng Group was also here? Why haven't I seen him?"
Xu Liming chuckled and said, "I'm helping out in the kitchen."
Sun Changqing stood up and said, "Oh dear, Xu, how could you let Chairman Luo into the kitchen? Quickly call her out. If your sister-in-law is too busy, I'll call your sister-in-law over to help."
Xu Liming said, "No need, no need, there are just some ready-made dishes. Your sister-in-law can handle it. I'll call Chairman Luo out."
So Luo Wei could no longer stay in the kitchen. She brought out a plate of braised liver tips and greeted everyone. Many of the leaders were familiar faces, so she wasn't afraid of mistaking them for others.
Sun Changqing pulled out a seat next to him and said, "Come on, Chairman Luo, let's sit together. You are young and promising, and I, an old man, can bask in your youthful glory."
Luo Wei pulled out a chair next to Zhao Qiang and said, "Secretary Sun, I'd better sit here. Your seat is for the guests of honor, so it's not appropriate for me to go over there."
Sun Changqing chuckled: "What host and guest? Everyone here today is family. I didn't expect you, Chairman Luo, to be so particular. Well, it's good that you young people are together. We old folks are afraid we won't have anything in common with you."
At this moment, apart from Lei Tianming, no one paid much attention to Zhao Qiang. At most, they praised his robust appearance, saying that this was only because he had used up a lot of energy today; otherwise, Zhao Qiang would have gained even more weight.
"Dad, all the guests have arrived. Hello, Uncle Sun, Uncle Lei, Uncle Ge, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wu." Xu Liming is the youngest high-ranking leader in the municipal party committee, so Xu Xiaoya addresses all the guests as "Uncle."
Zhao Qiang got up to greet Xu Xiaoya, not to show how close they were, but because Xu Xiaoya was carrying several large plastic bags filled with cigarettes, alcohol, and some ready-made food. No wonder she was late; Sun Junmei must have told her to go shopping.
Lei Tianming said, "Why buy so much stuff? We can just have a simple meal at home."
Luo Wei also came over to help, and together they carried the food into the kitchen. Xu Xiaoya said, "Even a simple home-cooked meal should be eaten well. I'll be drinking with the uncles in a bit, so please take your seats and start eating. I'll wash my hands and come right away."
Xu Liming said, "Everyone, have some vegetables to line your stomach first. Come on, everyone, have some vegetables."
No one made a move. Sun Changqing laughed, "Let's do it together, it won't make a difference." This shows how important Xu Xiaoya was among these people. The amount of funds she controlled was astronomical. Even if the municipal leaders didn't know the exact figure, the number of companies that Jiayuan Investment had already acquired was enough to shock them.
Ge Zhongyi and Zhang Yunjiang had both secretly investigated behind the scenes, trying to find out the source of Jiayuan Investment's funds from Xu Liming's embezzlement and bribery. However, before they could find any clues, they were warned by the province that anyone who investigated the source of these funds would be severely punished. Only then did the two give up.
Zhao Qiang was originally sitting in the secondary host's seat, but after Xu Xiaoya finished washing her hands, she took the secondary host's seat and placed Zhao Qiang to her left. To Zhao Qiang's left was Luo Wei.
Zhang Yunjiang asked with a smile, "Which company is Mr. Xu planning to acquire recently? We'd like to buy some stocks to earn some extra money for living expenses."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Steel stocks, you can make money no matter which one you buy."
Zhang Yunjiang said, "Alright, we'll definitely buy in with all our might. It looks like Jiayuan Investment is going to make a big move this time."
Xu Xiaoya said calmly, "It's nothing. Recently, there has been a shortage of steel, which has caused many projects to be delayed. Therefore, Jiayuan Investment must acquire controlling stakes in two or three companies. In addition, we can also buy some resource stocks. Upstream companies will also be affected by the market. Moreover, Jiayuan Investment is also interested in exploring the stock market. If it is suitable, we will also acquire a controlling stake in some resource companies."
Wu Hongxiang clasped his hands together and said to Xu Xiaoya, "President Xu, you have provided us with some very good information about making money. Thank you so much."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Uncle Wu, you're too kind. We're not outsiders. I was just talking about the future development trend of homestead investment, I didn't say anything else."
Everyone smiled knowingly, and Sun Changqing said, "I propose that we all drink a toast first, just because of President Xu's generosity."
The first glass was nothing; Zhao Qiang was giving Xu Liming face today, so he immediately choked down the wine and drank it all. For Xu Xiaoya, this amount of wine was just enough to moisten her throat. Luo Wei didn't have a high alcohol tolerance, but she could handle the first few glasses without any problem.
Setting down his wine glass, Sun Changqing asked casually, "Where does Zhao work?"
Zhao Qiang blushed, which everyone mistook for him being embarrassed, but in fact, Zhao Qiang was a little drunk.
Zhao Qiang said, "A computer company."
Sun Changqing pressed further, "Oh, which one?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Shunfeng Technology."
Wu Hongxiang enthusiastically said, "Let President Xu invest some money in you, and we'll build you into a nationwide IT company, surpassing Rednet Technology."
Xu Xiaoya thought to herself, "You're letting Zhao Qiang compete with your own company? He's not crazy."
Zhao Qiang lowered his head, feigning embarrassment, and said, "No need. Business is going well right now. Making more money is useless; enough is enough."
Shunfeng Technology's business volume is indeed impressive; at least in Donghai City, no computer company can compare to it. However, compared to Jiayuan Investment, it's just a small workshop and doesn't deserve the title at all.
At this moment, dishes were served one after another. Xu Liming picked up his wine glass and said, "We've already had our fill. Now it's my turn to speak, as the host. I'll only drink three cups of wine, and then I'll hand over the reins."
These people were all seasoned drinkers, so they had no objection to Xu Liming's suggestion of three drinks. After gulping down a glass of wine, Zhao Qiang's face turned even redder, but thankfully, he remained sober for the time being.
Deputy Director Ge: "Zhao, how long have you and General Manager Xu been dating?"
Zhao Qiang glanced at Xu Xiaoya, who said, "We started dating back in college."
Zhang Yunjiang said, "Oh, you're a classmate. Zhao, you're very lucky. President Xu is a prominent figure now, and she might not even be interested in ordinary boys."
Xu Xiaoya was furious. She couldn't believe what Zhang Yunjiang was saying. She was worried that Zhao Qiang would abandon her and run off with women like Luo Wei and Hu Qian, but some clueless guys just had to step in.
Xu Liming naturally knew that his daughter was working hard for Zhao Qiang. What a prominent figure she was, wasn't that all thanks to Zhao Qiang? But he couldn't say these things to outsiders, otherwise Zhao Qiang would be furious with him. Seeing that Zhang Yunjiang had made his daughter so angry, he hurriedly said, "Ya and Zhao have a very deep relationship. These two children are childhood sweethearts and won't be affected by any environment."
Lei Tianming kicked Zhang Yunjiang under the table, thinking to himself, "You idiot, you've angered this couple, you're going to be in trouble."
Zhang Yunjiang was clueless, but since Lei Tianming was the mayor, he could continue the conversation after being reminded. So everyone laughed and drank again.
The most unremarkable person at the dinner table was Luo Wei. Jiayuan Investment had made huge investments in Haifeng Group, so it wasn't unreasonable for Haifeng Group to have a significant share of Jiayuan Investment's businesses. Since the CEO of Jiayuan Investment was present, Luo Wei's significance wasn't particularly important, so Sun Changqing and the others focused on Xu Xiaoya as much as possible.
Luo Wei was happy that no one talked to her, because she was an introverted girl. So she kept putting food on Zhao Qiang's plate. Zhao Qiang's plate was almost full. He quietly tugged at Luo Wei's sleeve. Luo Wei smiled at him and whispered, "Eat more food and drink less alcohol. Look how thin you are."
While helping her father deal with those politicians, Xu Xiaoya secretly observed Zhao Qiang and Luo Wei. Zhao Qiang was alright, always serious and proper, but Luo Wei's gaze was different. She looked at Zhao Qiang with tender affection, and when she picked up food, she was full of joy. Xu Xiaoya felt a pang of jealousy. She picked up her chopsticks and also put a piece of braised pork on Zhao Qiang's plate, and soon Zhao Qiang's plate was completely full.
Zhao Qiang gave Xu Xiaoya a wry smile, meaning that although he could eat a lot, he couldn't just eat heartily in front of these guests, otherwise he would embarrass the father and daughter.
Xu Xiaoya didn't care what others thought. She pushed her plate in front of Zhao Qiang, put a few more pieces of pig's trotters on it, and said, "You eat yours and don't worry about others."
Zhao Qiang said "Oh" and started gnawing on his pig's trotter, leaving the municipal leaders dumbfounded. It was a bit too much to be gnawing on a pig's trotter like that. They wondered how Xu Xiaoya could have fallen for him. This man was fat and ill-mannered; how could he be the future husband of the CEO of Jiayuan Investment?